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Seasons & Episodes

EP1 Folk House 3: Thoughts of Summer Jan 19, 2024

Folk house innkeeper Matsuba Tomi hosts her grandchildren in summer. After playing in the garden, they help clean and rest under the mosquito net. An old-fashioned way of life forms precious memories.

EP2 Folk House 4: Autumn Leaves Jan 26, 2024

Autumn at the folk house inn. Matsuba Tomi values all things. Welcoming guests with decorations of fallen ginkgo leaves, the nuts used for the evening meal; simple treasures with enduring appeal.

EP3 Life of the Mountain Feb 02, 2024

Artisan Takezawa Mutsumi's workshop lies at the foot of a mountain west of Tokyo. She makes pieces using leather from animals culled as pests, hides usually thrown away, but she gives them new life.

EP4 Doll Revival Feb 09, 2024

Artisan Matoba Kensho restores traditional dolls. Beyond cleaning, he repairs damage to faces. Well-cared-for dolls can last 100 years, so he hopes people bring them to him, and never discard them.

EP5 Upcycling Old School Mar 15, 2024

With a falling birthrate, school closures are on the rise in Japan, and things like desks and chairs have no place to go. Doi Kenji upcycles these discards into stylish and unique interior items.

EP6 Clothing Rescue Atelier Mar 22, 2024

At Yoshimura Mayu's atelier anyone can come in and make clothes. The materials are discards from industry and major brands. And working together leads to great ideas they couldn't come up with alone.

EP7 Judo Gis Forever Apr 19, 2024

Judo instructor Sato Hitoe uses worn-out uniforms, or gis, to make items like tote bags; very durable, since the original material was meant to be tough. And behind it all is Sato's love for judo.

EP8 Waste Flowers by Candlelight May 17, 2024

Some 20% of grown flowers for sale in Japan are discarded as substandard. Nakanishi Megumi uses them to make candles. Just like the flawed beauty of humanity, waste flowers, too, have a unique charm.

EP9 Knitting the Future May 24, 2024

Maro Kuratani knits scarves and other items with surplus yarn, using threads of varying color and thickness. She says yarn is the ultimate eco-friendly material as reknitting is always an option.

EP10 The Plant Rescuer Jun 21, 2024

Gardener Yamashita Rikito collects plants with nowhere to go—that must be removed for demolition or renovation—and finds them new homes; saving them while saving those who give them up from regret.

EP11 Peanut Leather Jun 28, 2024

Chiba Prefecture is known for peanuts. Area leather goods seller Iijima Satoshi uses discarded peanut skins from local farmers to make synthetic leather that's eco-friendly, durable and very versatile.

EP12 Sea Trash Jams Aug 09, 2024

Trash Tribe is a band led by Oomote Fumiaki. Their instruments are made with marine trash. Fishing line and driftwood on strings. Plastic bottle percussion. Their laid-back music has fans of all ages.

EP13 Zero Waste Cafe Aug 30, 2024

Nakajima Deco is obsessed with finding ways to live a waste-free life. Diners at her cafe are served vegetables—peels, leaves and all—conveying the value of life through her cooking.

EP14 Bridal Upcycle Sep 20, 2024

With even slight damage, wedding dresses often have to be discarded. Nogami Yuko uses these for upcycling. Bringing happiness from one bride to another; remade better than new.

EP15 Fueled by Ramen Sep 27, 2024

A popular tourist train in Kyushu's Takachiho area is powered by fuel made from leftover ramen soup! Starting from zero, trucking company owner Nishida Masumi developed his own biodiesel.

EP16 Sea Nuisance, Sea Treasure Oct 18, 2024

Fish that overconsume seaweed, often called pests. A strong odor also makes them hard to sell. Kanazawa Ryuji uses these to make a distinctive fish sauce, so that no life from the sea goes to waste.

EP17 Farmer's Veggie Soap Oct 25, 2024

Unsellable substandard produce becomes soap thanks to farmer Harada Yuko. She hopes her work will change how people see fruits and vegetables, so that none of them will ever go to waste.

EP18 Bread Crust Brewing Nov 22, 2024

A bread maker for many years, Yoshioka Kenichi had a problem with leftover bread crusts. Seeking some use for them, he's put the same love he has for bread into making delicious craft beer.

8| 0h30m| en| More Info

Released: 04 June 2021 Returning Series

Producted By: TV Man Union

Country: Japan

Budget: 0

Revenue: 0

Official Website: https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/shows/zerowaste

Synopsis

Meet people around Japan who strive for a life without waste under the traditional philosophy of "MOTTAINAI," which values cherishing the things we have.

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Zero Waste Life